Shattered Alchemist

Chapter 4: Mystery of a Thousand Mirrors

A/N: Well, it seems like the fanboys/fangirls won't let me rest :3. I apologize for the delay, and will explain everything at the end. Hope my break didn't affect quality much.

If nothing else Ed was extremely fidgety. His nervous expressions continually begging to move to another room. It was late and their voices would only serve to make the single family living here a bit more curious. This second meeting after so long was awkward enough. "Yeah sure Edward...we can go somewhere else."

She escorted him to her own room, the safest place they would find. Even then he was extremely quiet, staring out the single window in the empty room. The rain pattered outside but her ears were numbed to it. It had just grown to be part of the scenery, the delicate and lost charm of the town. To think such a downpour could seem so natural after such a few short days. Thinking about the people who knew the town like this for years...how could they deal? No wonder their eyes were so sad. 'Like Ed's, maybe he fits in so well because of it...'

"Ed, if your not going to talk...then...", she went quiet as he glanced her way slightly. His eyes although changed, had an enormously deep feeling. She felt ready to be lost in them with no escape, it kept her voice too low to hear. 'He's so different, but...it's really Ed...' that surprised her even more. Until now she could never picture him as any different. This person, who seemed to be nothing but a broken existence, was truly Edward.

He seemed to calm down after a few moments of silence, moving to the door and closing it firmly. "I know I'm acting a bit weird...it's just, I really didn't expect to see you." He stated honestly, eyes never turning to meet hers. There was no energy in his movements but they startled her anyway. From every casual shift to the more complex moves of his eyes. "Edward, you must have known someone would see you eventually. Your practically a hero to people."

"Tsk, don't exaggerate...the people forget about things like that. No one here knows me as the Full Metal Alchemist." He sighed lightly, those days returning to him for a brief moment. "To these people I'm just another researcher who wandered in one day."

"You might be right, but not everyone forgets so easily. When a report like this gets in to a military full of those who you fought alongside...what do you expect? Someone would eventually come!" Her voice raised, but the reason for it was lost. Just the fact he wanted people to forget him made her irritated. She didn't want him to believe people could be put aside like that, it wasn't him.

"Yeah, someone would come...but why you?" He frowned, having repeated that question several times already. Why her, it seemed simple really. They knew each other after all, nothing wrong with a second chance to say hello. "Is it that horrible to see me again? It's more comfortable to see someone you already know."

"Not when you don't want to see anyone in the first place. I'd have no trouble throwing a soldier out, or denying who I am but...", he couldn't deny it to her. Someone who knew him first hand. Looking this different didn't matter, she knew this boy...or man...or whatever you wanted to call him. "I understand your concerns, and it may be selfish...but we really need you."

"Stop saying things like that!" He gritted his teeth, finally turning his eyes to meet her own. The chaotic stare made Riza cringe a bit. Her cold gaze did not waver however, instead it was him to avert those softened eyes yet again. "You've heard about the war even out here, right?"

"Some reports find there way. Bits and pieces, but enough to get a handle on it. Your wrong if you think I can change something this huge..." his voice lowered towards the end, trying to distance himself from both her and the conflict further. "No, your wrong if you think sitting here like a coward will do anything."

"What do you know!? You call me a coward just because I don't want to repeat the same stupid, childish mistakes. How is it being a coward!?" He was getting defensive, a light of the stubborn side of Ed shining through. "It's fine to learn from your mistakes Edward. Your not a coward because of that, but because your making another one. This war isn't internal or mixed in politics, it's a massacre of the entire nation waiting to happen."

"I'm sure the military can keep it under control, right? They haven't gotten far in the country after practically a year of fighting." It was her turn to release a sigh. The government had pressed hard to tell the people things were ok. "It's true only a town or two have seen fighting, but...almost half the alchemists have already fallen keeping it the situation that way."

"Wh...what are you saying? That's not possible, there's no way people wouldn't notice something like that. The news..." the news was already paid off by the Military, even the smaller ones were made to report the successes. The fact battle was limited to a small area, that the soldiers are still pressing them handily. Not once were the losses reported...

"Believe me or don't, the fact is we are...and will be losing. Saying you can't change anything is nonsense. You've always been a rallying figure, people are drawn to what you represent. Your...not the same, even I can see that. I wouldn't even ask you why, but I know the Edward I know is still in there." She believed it with all her heart. In this place, in the changes he went through, it was still Ed.

"Riza...your wrong. I...I have nothing else to say on this right now. Before I can answer any of it, I'd like to ask a favor of you." He turned his eyes back, the seriousness of his gaze overshadowing the pain she had been absorbed in. With a slight widening of her eyes, Riza saw her chance to get his help. A give and take kind of thing, she could deal with that. "What's that? You seem to have things pretty calm around here but if I can help, then sure."

"I'd prefer not to need help, but it isn't something I can do myself. Just...I'll explain later. Meet me outside Charlie's tomorrow morning." He moved towards the door, pulling it open with the same rough touch as before. "Oh and Riza? Bring your guns..." he left just like that.

"At least he's still as strange as ever..." she had no idea what to expect tomorrow. Really all that mattered was he was here, she had found him...and he may accept. It wasn't possible to guarantee his help, but she would do anything for it. 'I don't know what's gotten in to me, this is just work Riza...just work...'

Morning

She woke up the next morning in full spirits. Without knowing what time in the morning to meet Ed, she had no choice but to get ready quickly. After a cold shower to complete the process of waking up, and putting on her usual uniform it was just before eight. There was no sun coming through the window, blocked by rain and clouds. Sounds of pattering droplets filled her ears. Already the window was covered in a thin sheen of water trying to reflect what little light came down.

"This really is a dreary place to live." If her habits as a soldier weren't so built in to her, the sadness of this place would completely shatter her early morning routine. It was hard to find a reason to throw the covers off in such conditions. "Oh well, no time to think about this stuff. Time to go."

She left her room with both of her pistols and a few extra clips off ammo.

"Good morning miss, did you sleep well?" Henry was the only one behind the desk when she reached the end of the hall, his son no where to be found. The energy of that boy was a bit missed. It would have been a good way to get her attention to focus and not be bogged down by just waking up. "It was fine, thank you. I'll be leaving to meet a friend."

"Oh I see, that man again I take it? I've seen him around town once or twice, are you two...um...lovers?" He said such a thing with bright cheeks, which only made hers light up even more. "W, wait you've got it all wrong. I was friends with him a few years ago so..."

"Ah...my apologies. It's rare for military to come here and he looked like someone you might...so..." he shut up, and for good reason. At this rate she wouldn't even be able to form coherent sentences to defend herself! "P, please take care...I don't know when I'll return."

She left before the situation got any worse, grabbing her umbrella by the door and using it to shield her from the endless rain. 'Hearing such a thing so early in the morning, what was he thinking! Me and...no, I can't think of such things.' What an embarrassing subject, the worst part being the idea was even less strange as it rolled around in her head. 'This isn't the time for this!'

Riza walked through town, taking her time figuring Ed would most likely sleep in...as he was prone too. Unless that changed within him as well. The people in town had very similar day to day routines. Those she had seen once before seemingly doing the exact activity as back then, despite the different time. 'It's like all of time is stopped in this place, stuck on a single rainy day...'

The hill leading up to the researchers house was climbed with increasing excitement. Riza didn't know why she was getting so worked up, but seeing him again gave her another chance to get him to say yes.

Click.

A gun pointed at her head, a pistol to be exact...lightly pressed against the side of her head. How didn't she notice such a thing? Being this distracted all the time was becoming a liability. "What do you want? Military dogs aren't allowed here."

"Gee, that sounds pretty familiar. I'm just going for a walk, is that a crime?" She shifted her eyes carefully to the man, his clothes resembling to a degree that of the rebels she already fought once. At this range she had no chance of grabbing and removing her gun in time. Disarming him would probably have a higher chance of success...

"Roland, put the gun down will you? This is the girl Ed sent for." A second soldier appeared from her other side, calming down the one who made such direct threats. Ed knew these people? Was he in league with the rebels or something, no couldn't be...

"Ah! What a vulgar scene to witness outside my home." A voice came from behind and the gun lowered. Charlie smiled brightly as I turned to him, holding a book under one arm a umbrella in the other. "Ed got you as well? When he hired these people I was quite skeptical, I'll feel safer with you around."

"Excuse me, but could you explain what exactly is going on? Ed just asked me to meet him, is he even here?" Charlie chuckled and moved past, heading towards the house but turning a bit. "Please follow me, we can have him explain on site. You two as well, your being paid good money so hurry up."

She walked with him, cautiously so. Being around such rough people made it natural to be on guard. They must be mercenaries, or rebels posing as such. Charlie made the air a bit more friendly, but the hostile nature of the two men were still bothering her.

Riza found herself following past the house and to the entrance to a really old structure. The more appropriate term was ruins. Large stone walls going deep in to the ground. The entrance seemed partially submerged in to the earth, but there was no door...just blackness.

"Ed, your friend is here. Are you paying her as well?" Charlie spoke to him with a friendly manner, much like the first time she saw them together. Ed was really treated as an assistant, not an alchemist. The small boy she knew walked forward and whispered something before stopping in front of her, letting the others continue on to the entrance. "So what's this all about? I get a gun pointed to my head, theres those two men and a researcher. Plus the odd ruins."

"Sorry about that, I didn't expect them to be so hostile. I...called you here because I don't trust those two. Charlie needs to go in to those ruins for research, but we don't know what's inside. I was hoping you'd help protect him." A bodyguard mission? "You can protect him all on your own, so why those guys...and me?"

"I'd be happy if I could go myself but...alchemists can't get inside. I've tried many times. It rejects anyone who has any aptitude for alchemy." Ruins that reject the power of alchemy, she had never heard of such a thing. "I see, and if I accept...?"

"Then I'll hear you out, but no more then that!" He growled his condition out, working hard to maintain a possibility to refuse her. 'Looks like I don't have much of a choice.'

"Alright, I'll do it." Refusing would make it all the harder to get his help, at least this gave her a bargaining chip. It was a bit cheap to use something like 'you owe me', but she'd use whatever available. He smiled a bit at her agreement. "Great! Hey Charlie, we're all set!"

The kind researcher handed her a flash light with a smile, turning on a second one and the guards followed suit. She took a moment to gauge their weaponry, one armed with a pistol...the other with everything else. Riza could see a rifle, two pistols, and even a grenade launcher on his back. 'Talk about overkill.'

Ruins

Ed remained outside as they descended in to the darkness, the bright bulbs in the tiny flashlights easily illuminating the walls around them...but not much ahead. It was a tight squeeze even going in two at a time, with the mercenaries taking the front pair. Charlie was more comfortable using her as a shield, and them as the sword. 'How boring...'

"What exactly are we looking for down here anyway?" Riza set off a bright smile from the researcher, who quickly began talking about his work. "I mentioned a government experiment the last time we met, right? Yes I did, I'm sure of it. Anyway the site they used was supposedly these ruins and people refused to explore them afterwards. No one ever came out. I wanted to go in but Ed found himself in immense pain after just a few steps inside."

In immense pain? That was strange, she couldn't feel a thing. Was that how it repulsed alchemy? That still made no sense to her.

"You see, these ruins have a strange reaction against those who are capable of alchemy...or at least a strong capability for it. His entire body was sparking, as if it was attempting to activate his power. This stone place, was using his own alchemy on HIM. Quite an amazing oddity, wouldn't you say? So, we hired these guys a week ago. You just happened to show up at an interesting time, the first trip inside!" He was smiling brightly, having explained his pursuit without ever going in to what they were looking for. Chances were Charlie didn't even know himself, but they kept following the hall deeper.

This place was strange to her in several places. For one, while it still had the feeling of a smooth stone hallway it was formed in a half circle. There was no flat ceiling or walls. It seemed to be a carefully crafted tunnel, but man made for sure. Also the floors were oddly rough and bumpy compared to the other smooth surfaces. It didn't make much sense.

"Oh my, this is quite the long tunnel. Hey bodyguard guys, do you see anything in front of us?" The two men grunted a 'no', but said nothing more to Charlie. Riza had little to say on the matter, remaining silent and following. She didn't see how this was a big deal.

Then...

"What...what is this...", Riza couldn't contain her surprise staring around the small dome shaped room.

They had reached an opening, a small but spacious room. It was more of a dome, a complete circle above them...like a hollowed out moon. That itself wouldn't have been strange. What was strange, were what it was all made out of.

"This is amazing, it's all crystal...glass...something!" Charlie was right, it was most likely some sort of crystal. Floors, walls, rounded ceiling...everything was a very bright blue. Riza ran her hand across the surface...it was cold...

"None of this makes any sense, it's just too different from the hallway." She couldn't wrap her head around it. It was like an enormous heat had been applied to the entire room. 'This is strange, very strange...'

"Hey boss what's this thing?" One of the guards was examining a ball sitting in the center of the room, a top of a small tower of that same crystal substance poking from the ground. "Oh my, this is quite odd. It seems to be a condensed ball of energy or something. I wouldn't touch it."

He was probably right, Riza didn't really want to see what could happen. This was strange enough as it was. Like thousands of mirrors shining throughout the room.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! MY ARM!"

An echo, the scream was echoing so loud Riza felt her ears go numb. No one had touched that ball, then...

"GET IT OFF ME!" Gunfire sounded and made the beating of her ears even harder. Charlie was already backing away from the sounds as Riza went towards them. One of the two guards, the one who carried no more then a pistol had his entire arm ripped off in an instant.

The second man shined a flashlight and let a hail of gunfire separate the massive thing from him. Walking out of a small hole in one of the walls...

'A chimera'

A/N: Well that's chapter four. I seriously dislike the way paragraphs in my word processor look once put up. Anyway I'll apologize for the delay (and no promise there won't be another one). Most of my time has gone towards a Visual Novel project I've been putting together (if there are any artists out there, send me samples if you feel like some rewarding volunteer work!). The script is at 150,000 words...so pretty extensive project. Took three months to put that together, and now I have to work on the second one ..

Anyway I put this chapter together today, including writing AND editing. So I apologize if I skimped on the editing ; which I usually do anyway. Hope you enjoyed! If nothing else I'll try to get at least one more chapter out before going back to my all original works.